When Pakistan played at Port Elizabeth around two months ago, it was the only pitch on which we were able to score 300-plus. The wicket has changed dramatically since then, as teams have been struggling to get to 200 at the St. George’s Park during this World Cup. The Australians have complained about the unsuitability of the ground, and they do have a point. A World Cup game, and particularly a semifinal should be played on a track that is true and batsman-friendly.
These are top games, and should showpiece the best of the sport, therefore it would be incorrect if factors like the toss and a slow wicket mars the game. If the evidence of Australia’s games against England and New Zealand are anything to go by, the defending champions will be praying that Ricky Ponting wins the toss. If that happens they will bat first, and this should negate the impact of Muthiah Muralitharan on the game. The Australians are still in smashing form, and I think players like Matthew Hayden cannot be discounted at all. He is a very good player of spin and could have a big role in this game. Hayden has superb technique and he should just go back to the basics for the first five overs. He can be a very dangerous customer once he gets his eye in.
The Aussies are on a roll right now, and there is every chance that their bowlers would have learned from their experiences against England and New Zealand in order to put in an even better performance this time round.
I was particularly impressed with Brett Lee, who extracted prodigious reverse swing during their game against the Kiwis. The Australians have never tried to reverse in the past, and seeing the way the ball was darting back, the control and pace suggests that Lee has been working on this aspect for some time.
The wicket at St. George’s Park is pretty dusty, and I think reverse swing could play an important part in the game yet again tomorrow. For the Sri Lankans, Muthiah Muralitharan must fire. If the pacemen are going for plenty he must come in the first 15 overs itself. I know that he does this rarely, but for a change he must try this, because if the Australians get off to a good start, they are almost sure to pull away to a good score, and then the Sri Lankans will have a tough time. When the Lankans bat, Sanath Jayasuriya will have to be unbeaten at 15 overs if they are to pose any challenge for the defending champions. The middle order is still not in good form so they will be relying on their openers yet again. The Indians must be pleased that they are meeting Kenya in the semifinals. At least now they must not be worried about the fact that theirs is a day-night semifinal.
Of course the Indians did get a scare early in their run chase against the Kenyans during their Super Six match, but they must be favored to make the finals against a raw team like the Kenyans. Recriminations and postmortems continue in the host country. I always felt that Shaun Pollock is a fine captain, and it is sad to see him go like this. Our own team to Sharjah is yet to be announced, and since I have not announced my retirement, I guess I am still in the fray. Right now I’m in a farmhouse far away from Lahore trying to decide on my future.
Arab News Sports 18 March 2003
